Bed table



Aug. 20, 1929. e. RICHARDS BED TABLE Filed May 12, 1927 Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES GENAVE RICHARDS, OF

SYRACUSE, NEBRASKA.

.BED TABLE.

Application filed May 12,

This invention relates to a bed table and more particularly to a table for use on sick beds and the like for supporting food trays, books, magazines or the like.

An important object of the invention is to produce a device of this character which may be compactly folded and stored in a small space and which is readily prepared for use.

A further object of the invention is to produce a device of this character including means whereby a book or magazine may be supported at a convenient angle.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a perspective View of a bed table constructed in accordance with my invention, the connector being shown in position;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the table with the book support applied thereto;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 2.

teferring now more particularly to the drawings, the table includes a top 10, preferably in the form of a rectangular panel having at opposite sides thereof at points spaced longitudinally of the edge pairs of vertically directed openings 11. As disclosed, these openings are preferably formed in metallic castings 12 secured to the sides of the panel 10. These openings 11 are intended for the reception of the upper ends of substantially parallel arms 13, which form legs for the table and are connected at their lower ends, as indicated at 15, to provide relatively broad bed engaging feet, which will not cut into or damage the bed coverings. The arms 13 are offset adjacent their upper ends, as indicated at 14:, so that the extent of their movement through the openings 11 is limited and they may at the same time be readily engaged and disengaged. This offset, since it spreads the lower end of the leg structures, enables these leg structures to be spread far enough apart at their bottoms to engage the bed without making the patient uncomfortable without the necessity of making the panel 10 of extreme width.

One end of the panel is provided at its center with a pair of vertically directed 1927. Serial No. 190,819.

openings 16, which are preferably formed in a casting 17 similar to those indicated at 12. These openings each receive a downwardly and Vertically directed end portion 18 of an arm structure, generally designated at 19, which inclines forwardly and downwardly from the upper end of the end portion 18 and is provided at its free end with a spaced revert 2O producing an upwardly and forwardly inclining prong. The arms 19 are connected to one another, as indicated at 21, and the structure represented by the parts 18 to 21 inclusive may be conveniently produced by twisting the central portions of a pair of wires about one another and then bending the end portion to produce the parts 18, 19 and 20.

A book rack 22 is provided in the form of a panel having adjacent its lower end a ledge 23, upon which the lower end of the book may seat and having extending inwardly from its side edges holders 24 to engage against the leaves of the book and hold them open. Upon the rear or under face of this panel 22 is secured a metallic block 25 having a pair of openings formed therein, as indicated at 26, which substantially parallel the back of the panel and extend longitudinally thereof. These openings are adapted to receive the reverted prongs 20 and when engaged therewith will maintain the panel 22 at an angle to the vertical. The

material employed in the construction of the arms 19 and prongs 18 and 20 is preferably of such character that it may be readily bent to arrange the panel at a desired angle. It will be obvious that by removing the connecting element bet-ween the panels 22 and 10 and removing the legs of the panel 10, the entire edifice may be collapsed and stored in a comparatively small space.

Since the construction hereinbefore set forth is capable of a certain range of change and modification without materially departing from the spirit of the invention, I do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. In combination with a bed table top having a pair of vertically directed openings, a book rack having longitudinally directed openings and means for supporting the book rack at an angle to the table com prising a pair of spaced connected arms each having at one end a prong to enter an opening of the table top and at the opposite end a prong to enter an opening of the book rack.

2. In combination with a bed tabletop having a pair of vertically directed openings, a book rack having longitudinally direct-ed openings and means for supporting the book rack at an angle to thetable comprising a pair of spaced connected arms each having at one end a prong to enter an opening of the table top and at the opposite end a prong to enter an opening of the book rack, said arms being of readily bendable material to permit adjustment of the angle of the book rack to the table.

3. In combination With a table top having a pair of vertically directed openings and a book rack having similarly spaced openings, a pair of bendable Wire elements having their central portions twisted together and their end portions bent to form prongs to enter the openings of the table top and of the book rack respectively.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ai'iix my signature.

GENAVE RICHARDS. 

